The first day of the spring season did not go as planned for the top-ranked men’s golf team.
Auburn, which entered its first tournament of 2016 ranked No. 1 in two of the three major college golf polls, sits in 15th place out of 19 teams after carding a 5-over 293 in the first round of the Amer Ari Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii, on Thursday.
Senior Michael Johnson, the No. 1 individually ranked player in the country, and junior Ryan Benton tied for the team lead on Day One, firing even-par rounds of 72.
Ben Schlottman, Matt Gilchrest and Will Long also competed for the team score and were 2-over-par, 3-over-par and 5-over-par, respectively.
Freshman Jacob Solomon and senior Jake Mondy are playing in the tournament as individuals.
Solomon finished with a solid 2-under-par 70, leaving him in a tie for 15th place. Mondy finished at 1-over-par.
No. 5 Stanford and No. 7 USC share the clubhouse lead at 10-under-par in the loaded tournament, which features six teams in the top 25, including four in the top 10.
Play will continue on Friday at the Kings’ Crossing Course at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
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